Klatskin's existing organization will be called Lee & Klatskin Associates, and will be based at its longtime headquarters here, with a second office in Edison, NJ. Charles Klatskin founded what was then known as the Charles Klatskin Co. in 1966. Specializing in industrial real estate, the company flew solo until early 2001 when, in an effort to broaden its base and resources, it hooked up with the Philadelphia-based Binswanger Organization and, by extension, the UK's Chesterton Group and Germany's Blumenauer organization, and became known as Binswanger/Klatskin. The divorce from Binswanger was termed "amicable" by a source close to the deal.

"Our two companies share a great deal in common, including business philosophy, a passion for client service and quality people," Klatskin, chairman and CEO of Lee & Klatskin Associates, tells GlobeSt.com. "What we did not share was market coverage," he says. "That's why this is the perfect marriage. We saw an opportunity to grow the Lee platform on the East Coast and couldn't refuse."

"Charles Klatskin's organization offers Lee & Associates a terrific platform to expand throughout the East Coast," Bill Lee, founder and president of Lee & Associates, tells GlobeSt.com. "Our new association provides us with the national reach and resources to continue to grow in New Jersey and beyond," says David Knee, executive vice president of Lee & Klatskin Associates. Knee was formerly with Binswanger, coming over to the Klatskin organization as part of the earlier alliance. "This unique structure allows us to maintain our entrepreneurial culture, while being part of a much larger organization."Until now, Lee's core market has primarily been the West Coast, although in recent years the company has expanded as far east as Illinois. Lee & Klatskin is Lee & Associates' 24th office, and the new venture "will seek to form additional joint ventures with brokerage firms up and down the East Coast, "according to Klatskin.

Lee & Klatskin Associates will offer clients an array of brokerage, property management, consulting, construction and development services. As reported by GlobeSt.com, Klatskin recently formed Hollister Construction Services as its in-house contracting arm, bringing in Christopher A. Johnson and Kieran D. Flanagan Sr. from Troast Construction to run it.